Amusement device



Sept. 10, 1968 c. F. NORRIS ET AL 3,400,793

AMUSEMENT DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 23, 1965 INVENTORS. game/s WIN/V BY I Anne/var FIG. I I

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AMUSEMENT DEV I CE Filed Nov. 25, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 E l WW4 FIG. I2

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AMUSEMENT DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 23, 1965 Viol INVENTORS. NORRIS 8. EVJ'AAQK 5024: wnv/v B ATTO/QI/Vf) United States Patent 3,400,793 AMUSEMENT DEVICE Coma F. Norris, 800 E. Ocean Blvd., and Morris B. Buskirk, both of Long Beach, Calif. 90802, and George Winn, 7381 Katella Ave., Stanton, Calif. 90680; said Buskirk assignor to said Norris Filed Nov. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 509,272 Claims. (Cl. 194-12) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A power operated device with which an operator or player may pit his strength against a pivotally supported arm associated therewith that tends to resist movement, and in so doing, simulates the action obtained in the popular competitive pasttime of Indian wrestling.

A great number of amusement devices have been de veloped to provide recreation for the otherwise unoccupied hours of the general public. Some of them are made purely for arousing the attention and interest of passersby. Others combine some exercise or development of skill with the utilization of the device.

The present invention falls in the latter class. It simulates a game popular with persons of all ages known as Indian wrestling. In this game two players who sit facing each other on opposite sides of a table with their right elbows on the table and their right hands clasped. Each endeavors to force the forearm and hand of the other player down until it touches the table surface, without lifting his own elbow from the table. The one who first does so is the winner.

The device of the present invention provides a pivoted mechanical arm against which the player may exert his strength, instead of against a human opponent.

A first embodiment of this game merely measures the force exerted by a player in pushing down an arm offering a resistance to that force applied against it.

A second embodiment of the invention is more sophisticated in its conception. Instead of merely offering a passive resistance to the player, it fights back, just as a live opponent would. Hence, each increment of force applied by the player is met by a correspondingly incrementally increased force supplied by the machine of the invention.

This concept has made the device very much more popular with the public than had been the prior types offering only passive resistance to the player.

The major object of the present invention is to provide an amusement device having more interesting characteristics for a player.

Another object of the invention is to supply an amusement device combined with a healthful exerciser.

A further object of the invention is to furnish a device on which a player may measure his muscular strength.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an exercising device which will actively oppose the player.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an amusement device on which for a defined period of time a player may exert his utmost strength, and be met by a corresponding opposing force on the part of the machine.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet containing a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view from the rear of the interior of the cabinet shown in FIGURE 1, with the cabinet itself being cut away for ease of description;

3,400,793 Patented Sept. 10, 1968 FIGURE 3 is a view, partially in section, of the device shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, taken as indicated by line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic diagram showing the relation between the several operating elements of the device shown in FIGURES l3;

FIGURE 5 is a view, partially in section, taken along the same line 3-3 in relation to the cabinet as shown in FIGURE 3, but illustrating another preferred embodiment of the device;

FIGURE 6 is a view from the rear, taken as indicated by lines 6-6 in FIGURE 5, and partially in section to show details of the construction of the worm gear and associated parts;

FIGURE 7 is a view, partially in section, taken as indicated by lines 7-7 of FIGURE 5, to show details of construction of the differential transformer, worm gear, cam, and associated mechanisms;

FIGURE 8 is a view, taken as of FIGURE 5 to show details mechanism;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view, taken as indicated by line 9-9 of FIGURE 7, to show details of the construction of the cam plunger mechanism;

FIGURE 10 is a view, partially in section, showing the mechanism of the scoring motor;

FIGURE 11 is a view taken as indicated by line 11-11 of FIGURE 6, to show details of the locking mechanism associated with the differential transformer;

FIGURE 12 is a partial elevational view of the front panel of the machine, showing the right and left limits indicated by line 8-8 of the magnetic clutch of movement of the wrestling arm in dot-and-dash lines,

which are applicable to both the embodiments of FIG- URES 2-4, and 13 and of FIGURES 5-11 and 14;

FIGURE 13 is a circuit diagram of the embodiment of FIGURES 2-14; and

FIGURE 14 is a circuit diagram of the embodiment shown in FIGURES 511 and 15.

With continuing reference to the drawings for a more detailed understanding of the invention, the device is generally referred to therein by the numeral 1, and is shown in FIGURE 1 as being housed in a cabinet 2 having a shelf 4 at convenient height to support the elbow of a player (not shown), seated on a stool 5 facing the machine and grasping the handle 6.

Either a right-handed or a left-handed player may operate the device, and suitable internal switching mechanisms are provided, as will be described herein, to accomplish proper operation in either direction.

The amusement device 1 is activated. as soon as a suitable coin is dropped into the coin slot. 7, which may be of the drop type slug rejector construction. The dropping coin starts the timing motor 9, and turns on the lights as indicated at 10' (FIGURE 13). Timing motor 9 is normally set to operate for ten seconds, although it could be for a longer or shorter period if desired.

Insertion of a proper coin closes :a microswitch 11 (FIGURE 13) which causes the coin relay 12 to pull in. This relay energizes the meter reset solenoid 29, and turns on the lights 10. It also makes a microswitch circuit 18 associated with handle 6 live. When handle 6 is moved either right or left, the arm microswitch 18 closes and completes the circuit to the: start relay 33.

When the start relay 33 is energized, it breaks the circuit to the meter reset solenoid 29 (FIGURE 4). This relay also completes the circuit to the timer motor 9, the compressor motor 26, and the bell ringing motor 32. Energizing the start relay 33 also releases the air pressure through a valve 28 to the pressure indicating dial 13 (FIGURE 1) located on the face of the cabinet 2. It is this dial 13 against which is recorded the strength exerted by a player, and its highest setting is retained until a player puts another coin in the amusement device 1 to release the indicating pointer 14 (FIGURE 1), allowing it to return to zero.

Prior to completion of the game, pressure exerted either to the right or left by a player through handle 6 will be recorded by pointer 14, and movement of the handle Will be transmitted through an arm 15 (FIGURE 3) to the interior of cabinet 2. Within the cabinet 2, the arm 15 is pivotally supported in pillow blocks 16 (FIG URE 3) which are suitably secured to the inner framework 17 (FIGURE 2) of the device 1. A crank arm 19 (FIGURES 2 and 3), formed as an extension of the handle 6 and arm 15, is connected at its lower end 20 to an air cylinder plunger 21 slidably operable within an air cylinder 22.

Also connected to crank arm 19 is a valve 24 that is vented to the ambient atmosphere. Valve 24 is operably connected to arm 15 and so arranged that as the handle 6 is pushed away from its centered or neutral position, the valve is progressively turned. This allows a varying amount of air to be vented from the air cylinder 22. As may be seen in FIGURES 2 and 4, cylinder 22 receives air under pressure through a conduit 23 from a compressor 25 driven by motor 26. The pressure is also delivered through a check valve 27 and a valve 28 controlled by a solenoid 29 to the indicating dial pointer 14 through a conduit 30. This registers on the dial 13, the amount of force exerted by the player in pushing handle 6 against the resistance of the air pressure within cylinder 22. By a suitable legend on the front of the machine, the player may then know whether he rates as a papoose, a squaw man, a warrior, brave, or a chief. When the time alotted to the game is over, the timing motor 9 is cut off, and the circuit is then open until another coin is inserted to start a new game.

Another embodiment of the amusement device 1 is shown in FIGURES 5-11 and 14, in which the air-pressure-operated resistance portion is replaced by an electromagnetic assembly that not only provides resistance to the player, but will fight back just as a human opponent would.

In this embodiment a magnetic clutch 60 is used to transmit torque from an electric motor to the wrestling arm or handle 6, and the amount of opposing torque so transmitted is controlled by a differential transformer, the output of which increases proportionally as the force applied to the handle 6 is increased.

The main motor 40 is shown in FIGURE 5 as being an electric motor operating through a belt drive, the AC power to which is supplied through lines 3 and 8. A double reduction in rotational speed is provided by utilizing a double set of small drive pulleys and large driven pulleys to rotate a worm gear. Starting with the shaft 41 of motor 40, a first small drive pulley 42 mounted thereon drives belt 44 to rotate a first small driven pulley 45. This, in turn, is mounted on an intermediate drive shaft 46 supported in a suitable journal bearing 47 mounted on the inner frame 49. A second small drive pulley 50 is also mounted on the intermediate drive shaft 46, and carries a second drive belt 51 which engages over a second large driven pulley 52. Pulley 52 is fixed on the shaft worm 54, suitably supported in pillow blocks 55 secured to the inner frame 49.

A worm gear 54 meshes with a large ring gear 56 which is freely rotatable on the shaft 57 that is formed integrally with the handle 6 and extends horizontally through a pillow block 58 mounted within the cabinet on the auxiliary framework 59. However, when an electromagnet 60, as shown in FIGURE 5, is energized, the shaft 57 is locked to the ring gear 56, whereby a high degree of frictional magnetic engagement is produced therebetween. Thus, by energizing the electromagnet 60, a coupling of strength dependent on the strength of the magnetic attraction between the magnet and the ring 4 gear 56 is produced between shaft 57 and handle 6. The coupling so produced is effective over an are limited by a stop arm 61, which engages left and right stop members 62 and 64 mounted on the inner frame member 65 at the extreme limits of its rotational arc.

The strength of the current producing this electromagnetic coupling is determined by the position of a movable core within a differential transformer. A laminated core 70 of high permeability magnetic material is mounted on a rigid bracket 71 secured to an inner frame member 72.

Core 70 is vertically bored at 74 to receive a plunger member 75 which also acts as a microswitch controller. Plunger member 75 has an upper cylindrical switchactuating cam surface 76 of reduced diameter which engages a microswitch-actuating roller 77. Roller 77 is rotatably supported in a microswitch arm 79 that projects from a microswitch 80 which is mounted on a block 81 affixed to the inner frame member 72. Block 81 may also act as a journal for the horizontal shaft 56 operated by the handle 6, which shaft also has a journal bearing 82 therearound for engagement with the ring gear 56.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, it will be seen thatthe position of the plunger within the laminated core of the differential transformer 70 is controlled vertically by a cam cut into the body of the horizontal shaft 57 of handle 6. As the shaft 57 rotates, it brings either a left camming surface 84 or a right camming surface 85 into operative engagement with the cam roller 86. Roller 86 is rotatably mounted in the lower end of the plunger member 75, and is held in engagement with the camming surfaces cut out of shaft 57 by a surrounding spring 87. Spring 87 is adjustably controlled in its stress within the differential transformer core 70 by means such as a threaded collar 88.

This cam construction thus enables a player to control the amusement device 1 with the assurance that the proper circuit connection will be made regardless of whether he pushes the handle 6 to the left or to the right. In specific terms, rotation of handle 6 and horizontal shaft 57 in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction will determine how the relays mounted on block 81 function.

With reference to FIGURE 9, block 70 is shown as being provided with a positioning member 89 which extends into a vertical keyway 90 cut into the plunger member 75, which insures proper alignment of the plunger about its own vertical axis.

Returning now to the showing of FIGURE 7, and with reference also to the circuit diagram of FIGURE 14, rotating shaft 57 will force either a left actuating pin 91 or the right actuating pin 92 to operate its associated relay to start functioning of the device and indicating a score proportional to the force applied to the handle 6.

Rotation of shaft 57 by handle 6 will thus immediately determine in which direction the player must continue to exert his strength. The first consequence of inserting a coin into the coin slot 7 is that the coin drop relay is actuated. This completes the circuit to a relay 106, provided that the arm centering microswitch 100A is closed. This initiates operation of the timing motor 101, to function for the prescribed time and then cut off the game.

At the same instant that timing motor 101 is energized, the main motor 102 is supplied with power, as is the bell 104 and the score motor 105. It will, of course, be understood that the auxiliary portions of the circuit are similarly energized. For example, relay 106 will energize the communication center, relay 107 will energize the score and motor portions of the circuit for right-handed operation of handle 6, and relay 108 will energize the score and motor portions of the circuit for left-handed operation.

The magnetic clutch 60 is supplied with DC current through rectifiers 109 and 110 disposed in series with the differential transformer 70. The transformer 70 also supplies power to the stepdown transformer, which is rectified at 112 to furnish DC current to the score motor 113. A relay 114 is provided to reset the score motor 113 after each game.

In operation in either direction, the score motor connections are made through the upper contacts 115a, 115b, 1156 and 1150' of the relays contact groups associated with relays 107 and 108, which the motor connections are made through the lower contact groups 116a, 116b, 116c and 116d.

It will be seen in the lower left or FIGURE 14 that the shaft 57 will actuate relay contacts leading to the score and motor control relay groups 115 and 116, depending on the direction in which the shaft is turned, so that the right actuating pin 92 or the left actuating pin 91 is engaged. This determines whether the right-hand directioncontrolling relays 117 or the left-hand direction-controlling relays shall be operated.

Additional details of the scoring mechanism are shown in FIGURE 10. Here the scoring motor 113 is shown as driving a gear 120 against the tension of a spring 121 which adjustably holds a flexible strip 122 wrapped around a scoring indicator shaft 124, and connected by means (not shown) to the pointer 14 on the front of the amusement device 1. A locking brake member 125 bears against shaft 124, and is pivoted at 126. The end of the pivoted member 125 opposite that bearing against shaft 124 is connected to a reset relay 127. When reset relay 127 is energized, solenoid plunger 127A pulls the brake member 125 free from shaft 124, against the urging of spring 129. The shaft 124 is then permitted to return to zero position under the urging of spring 121.

FIGURE 11 shows the means for locking the plunger 75 of the differential transformer 70 in its most extended position until released for the next game. A hinged plate member 130 is apertured at 131 with an oval opening to permit free passage of the shaft 57 as long as the plate and shaft are positioned in normal relationship. As soon, however, as the plate member is moved into a position in which it is no longer normal to the shaft 57, it releases its hold, and the release of the plunger member 75 permits the mechanism to return to its initial position.

A device as described above has been very successful in attracting customers, and offers a decided improvement in games of the strength-testing type.

Although the present invention is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment thereof and we do not mean to be limited to the details of construction herein shown and described, other than as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An amusement device which includes:

(a) a movable handle engageable by a player for the exertion of a force thereagainst;

(b) first means for registering the magnitude of said force so applied to said handle by said player; and

(c) second means for opposing the movement of said handle as said force is applied thereto, which sec- 0nd means comprises:

(1) a motor;

(2) a worm gear driven by said motor;

(3) a drive gear which engages said worm gear;

(4) an electrically actuated magnetic clutch releasably associated with said drive gear and handle; and

(5) an electric circuit for electrically energizing said magnetic clutch, which circuit is normally open, with said circuit being closed after said coin has been caused to move through said predetermined path in said third. means.

2. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 which further includes:

(d) fifth means for regulating the force applied by said clutch to said handle that is related to the degree of movement of said handle by a player.

3. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle is capable of being moved in any one of a plurality of directions, and said second means opposing the movement of said handle in any one of said plurality of directions that may be selected by said player.

4. An amusement device including:

(a) a movable handle engageable by a player for the exertion of a force thereagainst;

(b) first means for registering the magnitude of said force so applied to said handle by said player;

(c) second means for opposing the movement of said handle as said force is applied thereto;

(d) a magnetic clutch connected to said handle;

(e) third means for electrically energizing said clutch;

(f) fourth means for driving said clutch in a direction to oppose movement of said handle; and

(g) fifth means for increasing the: magnitude of the electrical energization of said clutch as said handle is moved to increase the force offered by said handle to continue movement thereof in a predetermined direction.

5. An amusement device as defined in claim 4 which further includes:

(h) sixth means operated by a coin deposited therein for actuating said third and fourth means for a predetermined period of time.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 929,281 7/ 1909 Brodeur 73-381 948,140 2/ 1910 Johnson 73-381 FOREIGN PATENTS 486,671 6/ 1938 Great Britain.

STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Primary Examiner. 

